8 cocktail bar places in Charleston we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Charleston | Cocktail Bar across every city.

Charleston's cocktail bars cluster tightly along upper King Street, where converted storefronts pour craft drinks late into the evening. The Cocktail Club, Proof and The Belmont all sit within a few blocks of one another in Upper King, with Prohibition and Little Jack's Tavern adding to the strip.

The Cocktail Club ★ 4.5

Cocktail bar · $$$

upper-king · 479 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

The Cocktail Club in Charleston runs a King Street upstairs cocktail bar above The Macintosh since 2011. Order the brown spirits, classic cocktails.

Proof ★ 4.4

Cocktail bar · $$$

upper-king · 437 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Proof in Charleston is The Commonwealth Company's long-running King Street craft cocktail bar, twelve-plus years on Upper King with a tight tiki and mezcal.

The Belmont ★ 4.3

Cocktail bar · $$$

upper-king · 511 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Belmont in Charleston runs cocktails and bar bites from a King Street upstairs lounge since 2011. The pop-tart dessert program is the kitchen's signature.

Charleston Beer Works ★ 4.1

Cocktail bar · $$$

upper-king · 480 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Charleston Beer Works on upper King Street runs 48-plus taps of local and regional craft beer with scratch pub food. At 480 King St. Booking recommended.

Little Jack's Tavern ★ 4.4

Cocktail bar · $$$

upper-king · 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston has run a King Street tavern since 2015 with a deep cocktail list and the Tavern Burger. Tin-ceiling room, leather booths.

Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer ★ 4.4

Cocktail bar · $$$

downtown · 4 Vanderhorst St, Charleston, SC 29403

Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer in Charleston pours both coffee and local craft beer from a Vanderhorst Street courtyard cafe since 2003. Open until 22:00 daily.

The Belmont ★ 4.4

Cocktail bar · $$

upper-king · 511 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Belmont on King Street in Charleston runs a cocktail bar with the kitchen serving small plates till 23:00 on weekends. Located in Upper King.

Prohibition ★ 4.3

Cocktail bar · $$

upper-king · 547 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

Prohibition on King Street runs Charleston's prohibition-era cocktail bar with chef Greg Garrison's late-night small plates. Located in Upper King.